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@Spider12 @RussScott's got the right idea. What's your roof layout like? Two strings of two into your Victron would give you proper redundancy.
Anne Oliver in Solar Panels & Controllers 4 months ago thumb_up 2
The DJI Power 500 is solid if you're mostly topping up devices, but for camping trips you'll want to think about what you're actually running.
Cornish Camper in Product Recommendations 4 months ago thumb_up 3
The lads above have nailed the core issue—EV charging exposes every weakness a cheap inverter's got.
OffGrid Tel in Inverters & Chargers 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Has anyone actually used either of those for camping trips? I'm curious about real-world runtime because specs can be misleading. I've been eyeing the EcoFlow River 2 around £299–£349 depending on...
Liz in Product Recommendations 4 months ago
At that price point you're looking at the DJI Power 500 or maybe a Bluetti AC2A if you catch a sale.
Cove Mick in Product Recommendations 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Looking to pick up a portable station for camping trips and as backup during power cuts. Budget's around £300, maybe stretch to £350 if it's worth it. Currently running a small solar setup at home...
Nessa73 in Product Recommendations 4 months ago thumb_up 3
Running a similar setup in my conversion and the heating approach makes sense, but I'd suggest looking at where you're losing the most energy first.
JubileeClipHero5 in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Those frost patterns are stunning, @GemmaCooper86. I've got a similar polytunnel situation here and there's something about that crystalline layer in winter sun that makes the whole tiny house...
Zoe Ross in The Lounge 4 months ago thumb_up 1
@MarshLover your message cut off but reckon your issue is likely a mismatch between MPPT voltage window and array configuration?
Watt Karen in Q&A 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Lovely shot that — frost on polytunnel is peak winter aesthetic, proper Instagram moment without trying.
BitsAndBobs in The Lounge 4 months ago thumb_up 4
Honestly, I've steered clear. Got a Victron Lifepo4 setup in the hut and it's been solid—peace of mind's worth more than the quid saved.
Heather Gazer in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago
Had this exact dilemma last year when I added EV charging to my van setup. Started eyeing the budget Chinese units and nearly pulled the trigger until I ran the numbers properly. The thing with EV...
Marine Phil in Inverters & Chargers 4 months ago thumb_up 3
The payback maths definitely favour off-grid now, but @RustyTinker and @AndyReid are both spot on—you need to factor degradation realistically.
BlownFuse in General Chat 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Wrapped my cabin battery box in rockwool and added a 200W immersion heater on a thermostat — costs about 30p a night to keep it above 10°C and suddenly the BMS stops being a moody teenager about...
Salty Trekker in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 5
Been wrestling with this exact problem in my Ducato setup. The charging lockout is genuinely frustrating — my Victron BMS won't budge below 5°C, which meant dead battery days last January. I've...
Ducato Life in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 3
You lot are dancing round the real issue here—it's not either/or, it's the sequencing that matters. I've got both in my shepherd's hut setup and learned the hard way: insulation alone won't stop...
Luton Camper in Motorhome & Campervan 4 months ago thumb_up 1
The capacity drop is brutal, but the charging lockout is the real killer. Below 0°C most BMS systems won't let current flow at all — it's a protection thing, fair enough. I've had decent results...
Golden Socket in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Been dealing with this myself over the past few winters. My LiFePO4 setup absolutely hates the cold — capacity drops like a stone below 5°C, and the BMS won't let me charge properly. Currently...
Wayne in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Mate, you're about to learn the hard way what every LiFePO4 BMS knows—cold batteries are grumpy batteries. That Fogstar won't charge below 0°C, full stop.
RetiredElectrician in Q&A 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Spot on about the weight, @Fiona1974. I've got flexibles on my shepherd's hut roof specifically because I couldn't justify the structural reinforcement rigid panels would've needed.
Marsh Lover in Solar Panels & Controllers 4 months ago thumb_up 1